SALEM — Firefighters bravely put their lives on the line every time they head into a burning building, but sometimes these heroic volunteers need a little support of their own.

That’s where Canteen 6 comes in.

The Salem City Fire Department has a unique unit of volunteers that respond to serious fires throughout Salem County to provide support to firefighters and emergency responders.

This group of about 15 volunteers, known collectively as Canteen 6, is called out when fires are going to be fought over an extended period of time, or in challenging conditions. They provide firefighters and emergency responders with water, food, coffee, towels, oxygen — whatever they need to keep healthy and nourished when battling a blaze.

“These guys (the firefighters) are the ones out there putting their lives on the line. We’re just trying to help them,” said Canteen 6 supervisor Karen Ayars. “We do what we do for them.”

Canteen 6 was inadvertently started by Ayars in August 2006 when the city’s historic Nelson House went up in an early morning blaze, prompting more than 100 firefighters from across four counties to the scene.

Ayars — the aunt of Salem Fire Department Chief Fred Ayars — knew that the firefighters would be at the scene for awhile, so she grabbed a large pot of coffee from the Salem Oak Diner and stationed outside of the Old Salem Courthouse to provide coffee to the responders.

The fire went on for several hours, and throughout the day Ayars helped to bring them water, lunch, and whatever other nourishment they needed.

The firefighters were so appreciative, Ayars said, that she decided to continue responding to severe fires unofficially for about two years. Then in 2008, the fire department adopted Ayars and her accumulated group of volunteers, officially establishing Canteen 6 as a recognized unit of the fire department.

That same year, the Salem County Sheriff’s Office donated an unused mini-bus to the canteen, and a local business owner offered to pay to have the bus painted and lettered. The bus was also outfitted with a generator so canteen volunteers can prepare hot beverages or pre-packaged snacks on the go.

“From there we just started growing. We started getting more volunteers and we started spreading outside of the city,” said Ayars.

Fast forward to 2013, and the canteen has a growing membership, and is a welcomed asset for fire departments throughout Salem County.

“I enjoy doing it,” said one Canteen 6 volunteer, Debbie Bacon. “When the guys are out there at a fire, they don’t eat and they don’t drink... They’re out there putting their lives on the line and saving lives, and sometimes they need nourishment. The fire departments have been really appreciative.”

View full sizeThe volunteers of Canteen 6 , from left, Debbie Bacon, Barbara Fisher, and Karen S. Ayars make sure the canteen is fully supplied so they are ready for their next call at Union Fire Company station on Walnut Street in Salem, where they are housed, Jan. 31, 2013. (Staff Photo by Brintey Lillya/South Jersey Times)

In recent months, Canteen 6 began serving another important function — helping to maintain the charter of the city’s Union Fire Co., the oldest volunteer fire company in New Jersey.

According to Chief Fred Ayars, in late 2011 Union Fire Co. began to see a sharp decline in firefighter membership. But at the same time, volunteer numbers with Canteen 6 — which was housed in the Union firehouse — were growing, he said.

Chief Ayars said the decision was made to cease fire suppression efforts through the firehouse, and instead, to utilize Union Fire Co. to focus on support services. Union firefighters were transferred to the city’s other fire companies — Liberty Fire Co. and Washington Fire Co. — leaving the Union house to Canteen 6 and support services.

“Everyone thought that when that happened, it meant that Union was going away, and that’s not true. It just changed in the service that it provides,” said Chief Ayars. “The Union members are still serving in other companies in the department. They didn’t do anything wrong, but times are changing and we’re changing with the times.”

Union Fire Co. is the oldest entirely volunteer fire company in New Jersey, founded in 1749, and is an important piece of the city’s history. The company was moved to its current location on Walnut Street in 1992. It’s previous firehouse, built in 1863, is located on East Broadway and currently houses the Salem City Fire Museum.

Chief Ayars explained that keeping the company operating as a support company — housing Canteen 6, the department’s air truck, and other support equipment — allows Union Fire Co. to maintain its historic charter.

“Rehabilitation is a component that’s not widely utilized by other fire departments, but it’s important to take a firefighter after they’ve exhausted themselves and get them nourishment, some oxygen, let them cool down or warm up, keep an eye on their vitals,” he said. “It’s an important piece to what we do.”

The response from firefighters throughout the county has been one of sincere appreciation, with various departments chipping in to keep Canteen 6 stocked with supplies. They now expect to see “Aunt Karen” — as many of them know her — and her team of volunteers at every major fire.

“It’s invaluable to us because every fire is intense in its own way, and (Canteen 6) is there for us and everybody else,” said Brent Mathers, a volunteer firefighter with Washington Fire Co.

“There’s nothing better than having someone there to give you something cold to drink, or if its a long fire, something to eat. You can’t compare the dedication and devotion they have, they just do it out of love.”

Anyone interested in joining Canteen 6 can contact the station at 856-935-0351, or send an email to karenayars@comcast.net.